The Crownthorpe, a barque of 812
tons, was chartered by Shaw Savill Co. to carry passengers and general cargo to three
ports in the Dominion. The vessel was built at Sunderland in 1873, and Captain Everett was
given command when the ship was launched, and was still in charge when she made her last
run to New Zealand. Nothing eventful occurred on any of the passages. She encountered some
severe storms on the voyage to Wellington in 1881, also a cyclone on her last voyage to
Auckland, shortly after passing Tasmania. Captain Everett reported on February 6 a heavy
gale commenced from the south-east, and hauled to the north-east, from whence it blew a
hurricane, with heavy, confused sea, which lasted for four days. The ship, however, did
not suffer any serious damage.White Wings - Sir Henry Brett